Friendship Hill Association to Plan for the Future of the National Historic Site – Public is Invited

New Geneva, PA – The Friendship Hill Association, the friends group for Friendship Hill National Historic Site, will be conducting a Strategic Planning Workshop on Saturday, June 5, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Point Manor Personal Care Home, 300 Union Street, Point Marion. The public is encouraged and invited to attend to help plan for the future of this important and historically significant national park! A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Friendship Hill commemorates the life and times of Albert Gallatin, the Secretary of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson; Gallatin helped to finance the Louisiana Purchase, the Louis and Clark Expedition, and the construction of the National Road.

The workshop will help to define the vision of the Friendship Hill Association into the future, as well as plan activities. For 28 years, members of the Association have sponsored FestiFall and worked alongside the park staff to interpret the life of Albert Gallatin. Additional workshop topics for discussion may include future interpretive programs, educational programs, and how to best promote and advocate for the park, including the use of the 10-miles of wonderful hiking trails and the park’s proximity to the Monongahela River.

Perhaps most timely, is that Gallatin was part of the team that went to France to negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, ending the war of 1812. The 200th anniversary of the war is upon us, and the Association and the National Park Service hope that the public will help to plan commemorative events that will be tied to national events taking place in 2012 to 2014!

“It is our sincere hope that many new neighbors, community members, and organizations will come to this workshop to help the Association plan for the future. This national park belongs to everyone,” said Park Superintendent Joanne M. Hanley.

“Come and see our secret garden. Uncover for yourself the intrigue of the Mansion and beautiful grounds and feel the satisfaction of contributing to historical preservation and rejuvenation. We welcome friends of past, present and the future of Friendship Hill to learn more on June 5th,” said a Friendship Hill Association Volunteer.